# Alero head gasket oil leak **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** alero, oldsmobile\ **Created:** [August 10, 2013, 9:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/alero-head-gasket-oil-leak/80832 "2013-08-10T21:18:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![RAMMO](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecae2f/32.png) [@RAMMO](https://community.cartalk.com/u/RAMMO)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2013, 9:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/alero-head-gasket-oil-leak/80832/1 "2013-08-10T21:18:28Z")
Have a 2000 Alero. Mechanic says oil on ground is from leaking head gasket. $3000 to repair, or buy rebuilt engine for about the same. I thought head gasket leaks were into the coolant, not outside. Is this legit, including the cost? Valve cover gaskets were replaced earlier this year. Should I get another opinion? Other possible sources of leak? ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2013, 10:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/alero-head-gasket-oil-leak/80832/2 "2013-08-10T22:48:29Z")
@RAMMO What engine? Are you sure you don’t have a leaky front main seal . . . that can leave a lot of oil on the ground In any case . . . “$3000 to repair” seems very steep You could probably BUY an entire 2000 Alero for that amount I think you should get a second opinion ---
**Author:** ![WheresRick](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wheresrick/32/2717_2.png) [@WheresRick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/WheresRick)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2013, 1:08am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/alero-head-gasket-oil-leak/80832/3 "2013-08-11T01:08:07Z")
If it has the 3.4 engine, it could be the intake leaking, or the oil pump drive o ring. The intakes leak on all of those eventually. An intake reseal job on those are 600-900 bucks.